Overview
Our global pro bono legal network, TrustLaw, works with leading law firms and corporate legal teams to facilitate free legal support, research and resources for civil society organisations, social enterprises and non-profit independent media around the globe.
As the largest pro bono legal network in the world, TrustLaw draws on the expertise of more than 120,000 lawyers in 190 countries. We leverage the power of the law to protect, support and empower organisations at the frontlines of social or environmental change, and to strengthen and defend independent media. From practical reforestation projects to advocacy around media freedom, targeted pro bono assistance has a vital role to play in unlocking potential and accelerating impact.
How it works
TrustLaw is a completely free service open to law firms and corporate legal teams globally. Once a member, you can access available pro bono opportunities from vetted civil society organisations and social enterprises through our easy-to-use online platform and can volunteer to work on projects that align with your interests and skills. We connect you with the client once your offer is accepted, and our international team remains on hand to provide support for the duration of the project.
TrustLaw is a completely free service available to non-profit independent newsrooms. Once a member, your newsroom will be able to request advice or guidance on legal issues arising from your day-to-day operations. A member of the TrustLaw team will help you scope your legal request during a call and will then draft a clear overview of your pro bono matter. We share each request with TrustLaw’s legal members and collate offers of assistance, ensuring that lawyers are qualified to take on your matter. We share these offers with you and then connect you with the legal team you choose. For-profit independent newsrooms are welcome to contact our Legal Service for Independent Media for support (add link) instead. The service is also free.
Our network
Advisor
The TrustLaw Pro Bono Council comprises outstanding leaders in the legal and non-profit sectors representing different geographies and backgrounds. Together they provide critical advice and guidance to help expand the practice of pro bono worldwide, strengthening civil society and driving positive change.
Members
TrustLaw’s network is made up of more than 7,400 members across civil society organisations, social enterprises, and lawyers based in 190 countries globally.
Voting ends 05 May 2024
TrustLaw Awards 2024
From extraordinary pro bono projects to outstanding law firms, teams and individuals, the annual TrustLaw Awards celebrate the power of pro bono legal services to drive social impact, spotlighting meaningful impact from partnerships across the world.
How we help
Lawyers
We support legal teams to strengthen and expand their pro bono programmes, facilitating opportunities and partnerships, and providing a suite of resources, tools and training.
Civil society organisations & social enterprises
We empower civil society organisations and social enterprises to thrive globally. By connecting them with legal experts, we help them navigate challenges, protect rights, and amplify impact in an increasingly complex world, fostering positive social change.
Independent media
We provide a wide range of free legal services and resources to support independent media and journalists around the world, equipping them to strengthen their resilience and counter legal threats.
Our Impact
Pro bono support is a powerful driver of social impact, enabling civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media to boost their reach and resilience.
Organisations supported
We count over 6,500 civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media across 190 countries as part of our network. Each has access to free legal support from 1,200 law firms.
Pro bono hours
Through our services, leading legal teams have contributed the equivalent of more than $271 million in legal know-how and brainpower, supporting the needs of organisations on the frontlines of social change.
Connections
To date, we have facilitated over 10,000 pro bono connections around the world. Behind each of these connections are thousands of lawyers donating their time and expertise to civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media.
Impact spotlight
View more stories
We are a small NGO undertaking ground-breaking work, forming creative cross-sectoral partnerships and successfully leveraging project data to change global policy. But we have no legal expertise. Without Trustlaw’s introduction of Milbank, our attention would have been diverted from where we are global experts, designing cross-sectoral partnership projects, to drafting a complex international agreement. By working with Trustlaw and Milbank, we were confident that our legal work was of the same standard as our international development work and our tight budgets were spent on project delivery for marginalised communities rather than legal advice. The support was invaluable.
The legal service provided by TrustLaw was immensely valuable and will have a lasting effect on our organisation. Much of our work touches upon legal sensitivities in our markets, each of which has complex and varied laws and regulations about our areas of investigation. For us to advise our partners and comment confidentially, having the option of legal advice is not only beneficial, but crucial.
Research projects such as the Rainbow Families publication have a significant impact on societal understanding for minority issues. We hope the insights from this research can drive broader social change by challenging current workplace practices and providing practical recommendations to improve LGBT+ workplace equality. The research also helps us to remain as thought leaders in this space and keep driving the conversation around these important issues.
Trustlaw and its Pro Bono partners provided One Tree Planted with a global regulatory guide on drone use. This invaluable resource enables us to effectively utilise drones for capturing imagery, enhancing our reforestation projects by improving tree survival rates, project impacts, and monitoring capabilities
To be able to discuss topics that are difficult to talk about, but also to reflect on how they are being addressed in our workplaces with colleagues from other Latin American law firms was really valuable
Giving Programme
TrustLaw Giving Programme
Our exceptional partners from the Giving programme provide generous funding to support TrustLaw’s work to increase access to law and strengthen civil society to confront some of the greatest challenges of our time.
Resources
View All TrustLaw ResourcesJournalists’ toolkit: “Journalists’ Pact for Strengthening Civil Peace in Lebanon”
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ARABIC Journalists’ toolkit: “Journalists’ Pact for Strengthening Civil Peace in Lebanon”
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Global Comparative Research on Right to Emergency Medical Care
This report compiles and analyzes laws from different countries regarding emergency medical care, including those that guarantee it as a fundamental r…
Understanding Civil Defamation Laws in Germany
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Understanding the laws on journalist sources in Germany
German Basic Law guarantees fundamental rights and freedom to persons and organisations active in the field of press and broadcasting. As a result, in…
Understanding Defamation Laws in Ethiopia
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Understanding Defamation Laws in Brazil
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Understanding Defamation Laws in India
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Understanding Defamation Laws in Peru
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Understanding Defamation Laws in Kenya
When applied legitimately, defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that are harmful to their reput…
Get in touch
Together we can leverage the power of pro bono to drive social change
Get in touch to find out more and gain access to TrustLaw’s services.
